1.
diplomat; diplomatic official
A person appointed by a government to conduct diplomacy with foreign nations. Includes ambassadors, consuls, and other diplomatic staff.
Usage: 外交官 is a neutral, standard term for a diplomatic official. It covers all ranks of diplomatic personnel.
Common collocations
- 外交官特権 (diplomatic privilege/immunity)
- 外交官を目指す (to aspire to become a diplomat)
- 外交官試験 (diplomatic service examination)
Similar words: 大使 (ambassador) is a specific rank — the highest-ranking diplomat in a foreign country. 領事 (consul) handles citizen services and trade in cities outside the capital. 外交官 is the general term encompassing all diplomatic staff.